Thiruvananthapuram, October 7: A red alert has been sounded in two districts of Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu as the Indian Meteorological Department has cautioned the states about the potential conversion of depression in the Arabian Sea into a cyclonic storm. As per the IMD bulletin, parts of South India are likely to witness "extremely heavy rainfall" over the next 48 hours.

In Kerala, which was ravaged by the worst floods of the century in August, the administration has left no stone unturned to combat the rough weather conditions predicted for today. The relief camps have been opened up, SDRF units deployed in all districts and dam shutters raised in advance with the aim of releasing 100 cubic metres of water per second if the rainfall intensifies. Heavy Rains Forecast For South India, Red Alert Issued in Kerala Districts.

Notably, the red alert in Kerala has been sounded Malappuram and Idukki, whereas, five other districts have been put under orange alert.

In Tamil Nadu, district collectorates have been instructed to take required precautionary action. In neighbouring Puducherry, the incessant rainfall has already engulfed the union territory since Wednesday, which forced the schools to remain closed for two days.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has asked the deputy commissioners of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Shimoga, Chikmagalur, Kodagu, Hassan, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Ballari, Mysuru, Chamarajanagar and Belagavi districts to take precautions in view of the weather department alert.

Karnataka had also suffered massive losses in the floods which struck the state in August this year. The combined loss of lives was reported to be 654 - with 161 deaths in the state and 493 in neighbouring Kerala.